McLaughlen was born in
Chelsea, Vermont, in 1823. He began his military career as a private in the
2nd U.S. Dragoons. In 1850, he became a Sergeant in that regiment, serving in that capacity before his discharge in 1859.
Early Civil War Service In May 1861, he returned to U.S. military service as 1st Lieutenant in the
1st U.S. Cavalry Regiment. He was part of the regular Cavalry service until he was appointed Colonel of the
1st Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. In this capacity he fought at
Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg,
Mine Run,
Wilderness and
Spotsylvania. He won brevet promotions to
major in the U.S. Army for Chancellorsville and to
lieutenant colonel for Gettysburg. He was mustered out of the volunteers service on May 28, 1864.
Siege of Petersburg On September 14, 1864, he was appointed Colonel of the
57th Massachusetts Infantry Fort Stedman McLaughlen returned to command of the 3rd Brigade, which manned the line of trenches constituting Fort Stedman. On March 25, 1865, Confederate General
John B. Gordon launched a surprise attack against
Fort Stedman, overrunning its defenses. McLaughlen moved to the front to rally his brigade. He first inspected Fort Haskell, another defense in his sector. Approving of the situation at Fort Haskell, he rode on to Fort Stedman, not realizing this position was now occupied by Confederate soldiers, who took him prisoner. Despite his capture, he was given a brevet promotion in the U.S. Army to colonel for Fort Stedman, then brigadier general. He was briefly held prisoner in
Libby Prison until his release on April 2, 1865. He returned to command his old brigade, which was now manning the defenses of Washington, D.C., before he was mustered out of the volunteer service on August 10, 1865.
Post Civil War Service McLaughlen continued serving in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. He was promoted to Major of the
10th U.S. Cavalry in 1876. He retired from active duty in 1882. McLaughlen died in 1887 in
Middletown, New York. ==Sources==